Abstract: A wire stitcher includes a cutter for cutting a length of wire from a supply thereof and a stitcher head having a former and driver for forming and driving the length of cut wire for binding a set of sheets. The length of cut wire which is presented to the head by a wire advancing and cutting mechanism is automatically determined in dependence upon the thickness of the set.

Abstract: A wire stitcher for binding sheets into sets in which cut lengths of wire are formed into staples about an anvil by a former and the formed staples are driven by a driver. The wire is gripped against the anvil by the driver during forming and the staple is supported with the aid of the anvil during driving. The driver has a two-stage action in which a first stage motion operates to grip the wire against the anvil during forming, the driver motion being arrested during forming, and a second stage motion acts following forming to effect driving. The movement of the driver and the former is effected by a continuous travel of an input lever.